The Puma is out of the Kentucky Derby at the last minute

Gustavo Delgado's colt was scratched this morning, and the great race at Churchill Downs will feature 19 participants

The news hit like a bucket of cold water at dawn on the first Saturday of May in Louisville. The Puma, the rising colt coming off a victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and a runner-up finish to the favorite in the Florida Derby (G1), was scratched from the Kentucky Derby (G1) due to swelling in one of his limbs resulting from a skin infection.

Trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr., who was seeking to repeat the glory achieved with Mage (Good Magic), did not hide his frustration at the misfortune: "It’s incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should subside in a day or two. It’s simply a matter of bad timing," the Venezuelan professional expressed through the Churchill Downs press department. The bay, who had the backing of the betting public following his notable evolution on the Florida route, stood at 8-1 in the morning line odds at the close of Friday.

Because the scratch occurred outside the permitted window for also-eligibles to draw into the race, The Puma's spot cannot be filled by Corona de Oro (Bolt d'Oro), the last alternate on the list. Consequently, the 152nd edition of the "Run for the Roses" will feature a field of 19 competitors instead of the regulation 20, with all entries shifting one gate inward in the starting stalls.

The withdrawal of The Puma adds to a climate of extreme veterinary vigilance, where regulatory authorities have intensified checks on every participant of the meet. It is worth noting that three entries that initially lacked sufficient points had managed to join the field following previous defections, but this time, the clock worked against a full gate.

For bettors, the Churchill Downs information office confirmed that all wagers involving The Puma directly will be refunded. As the racetrack prepares to welcome more than 150,000 people, the team of Gustavo Delgado Sr. must swallow the bitter pill of watching the race from the paddock, waiting for their pupil to regain his peak physical form for the remaining challenges of the Triple Crown.